Tips For Sellers – What You Should Expect From a Full-Service Listing Agent

Selling a home is a complex transaction that can present challenges even in the hottest of markets.It is critical that you work with an experienced listing agent who has a comprehensive understanding of the local market and can be your trusted advocate. As a full-service real estate professional, I provide the following key services.

Home Preparation – Your home is the product in the transaction, and it must be a showcase.It is imperative to take the time to prepare your home for the market. A full-service agent will provide you with expert guidance in identifying necessary steps to ready the home for a sale at the appropriate price.

Pricing - The most important advice your agent can give you. A good pricing strategy takes many factors into consideration such as local market conditions, inventory levels, and recent similar sold properties in your neighborhood.

Marketing - To receive the most money for your home, your agent needs to expose it to the broadest possible audience. This means combining a comprehensive online and offline marketing program with a pro-active sales approach.

Negotiation – Your agent should have the market knowledge and experience to negotiate the best deal for you. This includes verifying a buyer’s loan status, down

payment, and creditworthiness.Make sure you have a skilled agent looking out for your best interests.

Escrow Management - Even after the deal has been negotiated, the transaction

requires careful oversight, attention and skill to make sure all lender, appraisal,

legal, brokerage, and civil requirements are met to ensure a complete sale.

You need an agent who has the experience and knowledge to and a brokerage firm that is committed to an exemplary level of service. If the time has come to sell your home, call me to learn more about my complete listing services.

Most people understand that good “curb appeal” is important in getting top dollar for a home. After all, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. Equally important to good curb appeal is how the interior of the house presents itself. The process is to essentially “deconstruct” your home as you live in it and then “reconstruct” it to be ready for sale.

The first step is to get a head start on reducing clutter throughout the house. This means clearing excessive papers, books on shelves and desktops, and minimizing overcrowded counter tops in kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms.

The second step is to determine if you need to reduce the amount of furniture in the house. The more cluttered the home appears, the more cramped it will feel to buyers. A garage, for example, can be a good place to store personal belongings while the home is on the market.

Step three is to “neutralize” the home so it appeals to the broadest possible audience. For example, freshen up your walls by choosing neutral paint colors. Also consider removing any polarizing political, religious, or symbolic objects, and any personal family photos. Personal objects in the home can make buyers feel like they are intruding on your home.

With the previous steps completed, you are now ready to do a thorough, deep cleaning of the home. Think of this as the “spring cleaning” effort of a lifetime!

The final step is to “reconstruct” the home so that it is easy to show, and each room is visually appealing. This may mean reorganizing existing furniture and decorations. A staging specialist can help organize existing furniture or refurnish the entire home.

Call me today for a professional opinion on how to get your home ready for the market.

Welcome to our 20th Season!

Located in Seattle’s Magnuson Park, Thistle Theatre offers the most affordable, professional theatre experience to families in the Puget Sound area. If you haven’t visited one of their three locations yet, join the thousands of families that have enjoyed performances. Make this the year you introduce your family and friends to this traditional style of Japanese puppetry.

Thistle Theatre is the only puppet theatre in the NW specializing in the Bunraku-style of puppetry. We are at the forefront of evolving and exploring this increasingly popular Japanese style of puppetry. Our own hand-crafted puppets are brought to life by puppeteers dressed in black, operating the puppets from behind for realistic movement. The puppets, props and scenery are designed and created by Thistle Theatre artists. Our productions are carefully crafted to have layers of action and language to please audiences of all ages, each performed by a team of professional actor/puppeteers with excellent character and singing voices. This season each 45 minute play is appropriate for ages 3 and up.

The time has finally arrived to purchase your very own piece of Seattle history! Located in the Ravenna/Bryant neighborhood of NE Seattle, Fire Station #38 has lots to offer with 2,568 s.f. of living space and 6 parking spots! The building and land are assessed at just over $1,000,000.00 and the minimum offer that will be accepted is $350,000. Offers must be in by April 20, 2012 at 5 p.m. and should contain no contingencies.

Join Colliers International for 2 open houses; March 10th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and April 7th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.. Bring you architect, contractor, and designer to help you envision your new home. Remember that this property is a registered landmark which means the exterior of the building cannot be changed!

If you are interested in looking at this Northeast Seattle property or any other Northeast Seattle property, please call me at 206-334-6761.

Our World Class Player Development Program has a long-term developmental approach focused on Basketball Fundamentals. Athletic Development. Mental Intangibles!!

1 Session a week for 2 months starting February for only $337.50!!

More classes available soon … Keep a look out for information on College Prep and Varsity Sessions!!

Day

Level

Grade

Time

Description

# of Students

Wednesday @ SMB

Essential

4th – 7th

3:00-4:00

Court Time

Min 6 Max 16

Essential

4th – 7th

4:00-4:30

Physical Training

Min 6 Max 16

Wednesday @ SMB

Essential

6th – 8th

3:30-4:00

Physical Training

Min 6 Max 16

Essential

6th – 8th

4:00-5:00

Court Time

Min 6 Max 16

Court time classes are going to focus on:
** Building confidence on and off the court
** Fundamentals of movement: speed, agility, and strength
** Fundamentals of basketball: ball handling, passing, shooting, sportsmanship, and competition

** Mastering of fundamentals

Athletic Development with Personal Trainer, Will Whatley, will focus on:
** Age appropriate physical training

In celebration of Neighbor Appreciation Day on Feb. 11, the Northeast Branch is hosting an exhibit on neighborhood history throughout the month of February.

Did you know that Northeast Seattle was once the home of a ghost town, a lumber mill, a college (not the University of Washington!), an airport, a railroad, a mosquito fleet, a saint, a dairy farm and the city’s first p-patch?

From February 1-28, visit the Northeast Branch to discover historic photos, maps and articles about the development of Wedgwood, View Ridge, Laurelhurst, Meadowbrook and Ravenna.